If you are visiting Newcastle and want to find out more about the local area, why not book a tour? Whether it's a walking tour exploring local history led by our qualified City Guides, a river cruise taking in the beautiful scenery and bridges of the Tyne Gorge, or an open-top bus visiting all the major attractions, there is something for everyone. Please click the links below to find more information.
- Newcastle City Guides Walking Tours
- Green Badge Guides
- Citysightseeing bus
- River Escapes cruises
- Newcastle Ghost tours - Alone in the Dark Entertainment
- St. James' Park tours
- Victoria Tunnel tours
- Eagle Helicopter tours
- Northumbria Helicopters
- Taxi tours
- Taxi Ambassadors
- Motorbike Tours
- Rail Tour Guides
Newcastle City Guides Walking Tours
Daily walking tour provided by Newcastle City Guides. 'A Taste of Newcastle' starts on Wednesday 1 June 2011 until Friday 30 September 2011. The tour starts at 10.30am Monday to Saturday from Newcastle Tourist Information Centre. Local walks are also available on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings April to October.
Ticket prices:
- Adults £4,
- Concessions £3
- Children under 16 years free with a paying adult.
Season tickets cost £20 for adults and £15 for concessions and make a fantastic gift. Most walks are on a 'just turn up' basis, but some require booking in advance. To book or purchase tickets contact Newcastle Tourist Information Centre.
Please visit the Newcastle City Guides website here (opens in new window) for more information about the walks and guides.
Green Badge Guides
The Green Badge Scheme is the mark that the guide has specialist local knowledge to become an accredited tour Guide and means that the guide has completed a long course in all aspects of tourist guiding. This is a highly sought-after award accredited by the Institute of Tourist Guiding and is your guarantee that you will get only the highest quality, and most professional service.
NewcastleGateshead Green Badge Guides are all self-employed and can offer a variety of walking tours tailored to suit your requirements.
For more information on booking a private tour email newcastlecitywalks@hotmail.com or contact Newcastle Tourist Information Centre for a list of guides.
Citysightseeing bus tours
The City Sightseeing open top bus circles the city centre linking all the attractions in Newcastle and Gateshead Quays. The tour begins at Newcastle Central Railway Station and stops at many of the city's attractions such as The Gate, Laing Art Gallery and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, finally returning to the Central Station.
Tours run daily from 17 April to 29 October 2011 and at weekends only from 30 October tp 17 December 2011. Each full tour lasts 60 minutes.
Ticket prices:
- Adults: £8
- Children (5-15 years): £4
- Seniors (Over 60s): £6
- Students: £6 (on production of valid student ID)
- Family Ticket: £19.50 (2 adults and up to 3 children).
Tickets can be purchased from Newcastle Tourist Information Centre. The ticket is valid for up to 24 hours and you can hop on and off as much as you like.
For more information, visit the Citysightseeing bus website here (opens in new window) or phone +44 (0) 191 228 8900
River Escapes cruises
A River Escapes Sightseeing Cruise offers an unrivalled way to experience NewcastleGateshead and its evolving industries, taking you from past to present, from once thriving maritime heritage to world-renowned landmarks. Cruises depart from the River Escapes Boarding point next to the Pitcher and Piano and Millennium Bridge.
Three scheduled cruises are available:
Quay to City - 1 hour long - Offers a snapshot of Newcastle and Gateshead, showcasing the seven Tyne bridges and famous landmarks like the Sage Gateshead and Baltic. The cruise is complimented by a recorded commentary from an experienced commentator. This cruise operates on Saturdays throughout June to September.
Quay to Countryside - 2 hours long - Sails from Newcastle Quayside up river as far as Ryton Willows Nature Reserve and Newburn Countryside Park. The cruise takes you under eleven of the Tyne's bridges, including the Gateshead Millennium Bridge and Tyne Bridge, as well as passing places associated with the famous Blaydon Races. This cruise operates on Sundays from March till November, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from June to September.
Quay to Sea - 3 hours long - A fantastic way to see the changing faces of the River Tyne. The cruise takes you under the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, which opens especially for the cruise. On the cruise you will see the legendary shipyards of Tyneside, the Port of Tyne, Fish Quay and the glorious vistas of the river mouth, including Tynemouth Priory, the monument to Admiral Lord Collingwood and the beautiful sandy beaches of South Shields.
You can book your place on the cruise of your choice at Newcastle Tourist Information Centre, by phoning River Escapes on + 44 (0)1670 785 777 or on the River Escapes website here (opens in new window).
Newcastle Ghost Tours - Alone in the Dark Entertainment
Combines the weirdest history with the wildest stories and wickedest humour around. Best of all, Newcastle ghost walk has access to the some of Newcastle's most haunted places. A careful blend of fascinating history and distinctive humour, culminating in a genuinely terrifying experience has made Castle Keep ghost walk a unique experience in entertainment. Meet at Castle Front door, opposite Bridge Hotel pub.
Warning: the ghosts on this tour can cause genuine physical and mental distress. Join the tour at your own risk!
For information on the latest ghost tours, please visit the Alone in the Dark Entertainment website (opens in new window)
Ticket prices:
- Adults: £1 at booking venue and £5 on the door, tickets purchased on the night are £8.
- Chidren under 16: Free. No unaccompanied children.
You can buy advance tickets from Newcastle Tourist Information Centre. Customers should call Alone in the Dark Entertainment and pre-book their tour, giving at least 48 hours notice. To book, phone + 44 (0)191 440 0078.
St. James' Park Tours
A Newcastle United Stadium Tour will take you on an amazing journey through the history of the Toon Army. The knowledgeable tour guides will show you many areas you will never have seen before as well as some very famous ones! Tour highlights include:
- A look inside the Changing Rooms
- Find out what it feels like to stand Pitch-side
- See the Dugouts
- Find out what happens in the Media Suite
- See the view from the highest point in the Stadium
- View the first class Conference facilities.
To book your Stadium Tour, please call the Newcastle United Box Office on +44 (0)844 372 1892
Ticket prices:
- Adults: £10
- Concessions: £7
- Matchday tour: Please add £3 (advance booking recommended)
For more information, please visit the Newcastle United website here (opens in new window)
Victoria Tunnel Tours
The Victoria Tunnel is an old wagonway which runs under the city from the Town Moor down to the River Tyne. Experience the sounds of a wartime air raid and follow your guides underground to discover the Tunnel's role as a colliery waggonway.
There are five regular tunnel tours each week on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (special tours can be arranged on other days if you wish to organise a private tour for six or more people). Because of the confined space in the tunnel, tours are limited to 12 people and booking is therefore essential. To arrange a visit, please go to the Victoria Tunnel website here (opens in new window)
Please book a week in advance of the date of your intended tour, however if you are visitor to Newcastle and are unable to give a week's notice please phone The Ouseburn Trust and they will try to fit you in for the date you require, but please note that this may not always be possible.
Please e-mail clive.goodwin@ouseburntrust.org.uk or phone +44 (0)191 261 6596 for further information or to be added to their mailing list
Ticket prices:
- Adult £3
- Children under 12 £2
- Children under 5 go free
Eagle Helicopter Tours
Eagle Helicopters are based at Newcastle City Heliport, within minutes of the City Centre. Helicopter Charter is rather like hiring an air taxi. You get a professional pilot and helicopter, fuelled ready to fly you to your destination. They operate to the same high standard as any UK airline and have held an operating licence for more than 25 years.
For more information, phone Eagle Helicopters on +44 (0)191 256 8000, e-mail eaglehelicopters@btconnect.com or visit the Eagle Helicopters website here (opens in new window)
Northumbria Helicopters
Northumbria Helicopters are based at Newcastle International Airport and offer a number of exciting flight options, all of which make an ideal gift for someone special including City Tours, Charter Flights and Trial Lessons.
For more information phone Northumbria helicopters on +44 (0)191 286 6999, e-mail admin@northumbria-helicopters.co.uk or visit the Northumbria Helicopters website here (opens in new window)
Taxi Tours - Newcastle City Tours
Newcastle City Tours offer you a safe and convenient way of exploring Newcastle and the surrounding area. Their tours are designed to ensure that on every stop you visit a place of interest, unique to Newcastle and Northumberland. They also offer tours of Hadrian's Wall Country, Durham Cathedral and the Castles of Northumbria. For more information, please phone +44 7780 958679 or visit the Newcastle City Tours website here (opens in new window)
Taxi Ambassadors
Almost 400 taxi drivers have taken part in the am bassador programme to become important experts and representatives of NewcastleGateshead. Wherever you see the official sign you can be reassured that the driver will be able to help you with information about the area and is committed to advising passengers on things to do and places to visit.
Hadrian Harley Motorbike Tours
Motorcycle tours and rentals organisation using only Harley Davidsons, in North East England. Based in Northumberland they are ideally located for picturesque and fun tours in the North East.
Phone +44 (0)1661 824 713 or visit the Hadrian Harley Tours website here (opens in new window) for more information.
Rail Tour Guides
Railtourguide.com offer bespoke personalised and guided rail tours of the UK. Your own personal RailTourGuide will collect you either from the airport, station or your accommodation, and take you on an unforgettable rail tour of the UK, to suit your requirements.
For more information visit railtourguide.com (opens in new window) or phone +44 (0)191 246 0708
Disclaimer
The City Council is not responsible for the content or conduct of private companies, all information is given in good faith.